Reports and Resources (45)Show

NOAA Fisheries has released a draft Climate Science Strategy for public comment that identifies 7 steps to increase the production & use of climate-related information; proposes actions to address common needs across regions and agency mandates; and aims to help reduce impacts and increase resilience of marine resources and the communities that depend on them. It is open for comment until March 31, 2015.

Enhancing the Climate Resilience of America's Natural Resources

The Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience has released a report outlining four strategies to help make our natural resources more resilient to climate change, and documenting progress and providing roadmaps for action.

Climate-Smart Conservation: Putting Adaption Principles into Practice

This new report by the National Wildlife Federation looks at how climate change is affecting the nation’s wildlife & habitats, & addresses how natural resource managers need to prepare for and adapt to these unprecedented changes.

NOAA Releases Arctic Action Plan

Climate change is making the Arctic a greener, warmer, and increasingly accessible place for economic opportunity. However, climate impacts such as sea ice loss and rising ocean acidification are straining coastal community resilience and sound resource stewardship. The NOAA Arctic Action Plan report outlines ways for scientists and stakeholders to share their progress regarding this vast, valuable, and vulnerable region.

Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change

On April 15 in Berlin, Germany, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change approved and released Working Group III's Fifth Assessment Report - a comprehensive assessment of all relevant options for mitigating climate change through limiting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as activities that remove them from the atmosphere.

WMO Releases Annual Status of the Global Climate Report

The dramatic impact of climate variability and climate change continued to be felt all over the world throughout 2013.The World Meteorological Organization statement on the status of the global climate in 2013 provides a snapshot of global and regional trends in weather and climate over the past year and highlights some of the year’s most significant extreme events.

Managing for a Future in a Rapidly Changing Arctic

In consultation with the National Ocean Council, the National Security Staff, and the Arctic Research Commission, the Alaska Interagency Working Group completed a report describing environmental, social, and economic issues in the arctic U.S. to the federal government and its partners in order to address management challenges in the region.

Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis

On September 27, 2013, Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented its report to member governments for approval and acceptance. The report is the first of four that will make up the IPCC's 5th Assessment.

Oceans and Marine Resources in a Changing Climate

According to a new National Climate Assessment report, the nation's valuable ocean ecosystems and marine resources are being affected by a changing climate. These impacts are expected to increase in coming years, putting marine resources — and the people and economies that depend on them — at risk.

Climate Sensitivity of the Nation's Estuaries

The United States' 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) are experiencing negative effects of human and climate-related stressors, according to a new report from NOAA's National Ocean Service. This is the first national-scale climate sensitivity analysis of estuaries to help coastal managers protect the health of estuaries.

Climate Change in the Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research

This is a rigorously researched, peer-reviewed scientific assessment of the climate of the Western Pacific region. Building on the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, this two-volume publication represents a comprehensive resource on the climate of the Pacific.

Climate Change and Pacific Islands: Indicators and Impacts

Climate Change and Pacific Islands: Indicators and Impacts is a report developed by the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment (PIRCA) aimed at assessing the state of climate knowledge, impacts, and adaptive capacity of Hawaii and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands.

NOAA Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications funding

The Coastal and Ocean Climate Applications (COCA) program addresses the needs of specific decision makers grappling with pressing climate-related issues in coastal and marine environments. This program strengthens initiatives to support interdisciplinary applications research aimed at addressing climate-related challenges in coastal communities as well as coastal and marine ecosystems.

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Climate Summit

Alaska Climate Webinar Archives

The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy has an archive of all its webinars on a variety of climate issues in the Alaska and the Arctic. The webinar series is also ongoing with new speakers and topics scheduled regularly.

Alaska Climate Dispatch

The Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy produces this climate information tool in partnership with the Alaska Climate Research Center, SEARCH Sea Ice Outlook, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and the National Weather Service. The quarterly Alaska Climate Dispatch provides seasonal weather and climate summaries as well as Alaska weather, wildfire, and sea ice outlooks in one easily accessible document with the latest issue and archives available online.

2013 Draft National Climate Assessment

Global climate is changing, and this is apparent across the U.S. in a wide range of observations. Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation and extreme events and their causes and impacts on society and the environment are chronicled in the 2013 National Climate Assessment. A team of over 240 experts compiled the report, which is open for public comment through April 12, 2013.

Climate and the Oregon Coast

Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States National Climate Assessment

Global sea level has been steadily rising for decades and is expected to continue. Scientists have very high confidence that global sea level will rise at least another 8 inches and as much as 6.6 feet by 2100, causing significant impacts in U.S. coastal regions. This report lays out the science and describes possible scenarios to help planners and policy leaders assess the risks.

2012 Arctic Report Card

The annual Report Card provides clear, concise scientific information on the state of the Arctic region, organized into 5 sections: Atmosphere, Sea Ice & Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, Terrestrial Ecosystems, and Hydrology & Terrestrial Cryosphere. This edition was prepared by an international team of 121 scientists from 14 different countries. Independent peer-review of the 2012 Report Card was organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Arctic Council.

Highlights from 2012 include new records set for snow extent, sea ice extent and ice sheet surface melting, despite air temperatures - a key cause of melting - being unremarkable relative to the last decade. Multiple observations provide strong evidence of widespread, sustained change driving Arctic environmental system into new state.

National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy

From the Arctic to the Everglades, impacts like rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, loss of sea ice, and changing precipitation patterns are affecting the species we care about, the services we value, and the places we call home. Federal, state, and tribal partners with input from many other diverse groups from across the nation have worked to develop a common strategy to respond to these challenges. The National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is currently in draft form and, when finished, will provide a unified approach for reducing the negative impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, plants, and the natural systems upon which they depend.

Arctic Report Card: 2011

The annual Report Card provides clear, concise scientific information on the state of the Arctic region, organized into 5 sections: Atmosphere, Sea Ice & Ocean, Marine Ecosystems, Terrestrial Ecosystems, and Hydrology & Terrestrial Cryosphere. This edition was prepared by an international team of 121 scientists from 14 different countries. Independent peer-review of the 2011 Report Card was organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Arctic Council.

National Action Plan for Managing Freshwater Resources in a Changing Climate

A plan published by the White House Climate Change Adaptation Taskforce to help freshwater resource managers assure adequate water supplies, safeguard water quality and aquatic ecosystems, and protect human life, health and property. The plan lays out six goals for effective management: Establish a Planning Process to Adapt Water Resources Management to a Changing Climate

Improve Water Resources and Climate Change Information for Decision-Making

Strengthen Assessment of Vulnerability of Water Resources to Climate Change

America’s Climate Choices

This is the final report in the America’s Climate Choices series. It includes analysis by scientists, engineers, economists, business leaders and policy experts on how to address climate change in the United States. The report advocates for an iterative risk management approach to climate change and using strong federal climate policies to support and enhance existing local, state and private sector efforts. It identifies four key areas policymakers should focus on.

Technical Considerations for Use of Geospatial Data in Sea Level Change Mapping and Assessment

Guidance for federal and state agencies and coastal planners for conducting sea level change assessments and mapping. The report is intended to provide technical guidance to agencies, practitioners, and coastal decision-makers seeking to use and/or collect geospatial data to assist with sea level change assessments and mapping products.

Sea Ice Manual

The purpose of the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy's Sea Ice Manual is to improve the availability of current information about sea ice from operational and academic observation programs to key user groups. It provides Arctic Alaska coastal community leaders and local user groups with an up-to-date, comprehensive, and practical guide to current reference resources on sea ice and climate that are relevant to their planning, subsistence activities, and way of life.

Climate Change Impacts: Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries

Coastal Strategies for Addressing Climate Change

A collection of case studies and information about how coastal communities can plan for and adapt to climate change. These resources represent a national guide for how coastal communities can plan and adapt. Case study issues range from coastal managers addressing sea level rise in Rhode Island to coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures in Florida.

Our Living Oceans: A Report on the Status of U.S. Living Marine Resources

The sixth edition of a report card to the American public on the biological health of U.S. living marine resources, published by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. The report includes updates on major fisheries and marine resources as well as feature articles on fisheries science, coral, and cooperative and proactive approaches to the Endangered Species Act.

Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States (2009)

Climate changes are underway in the United States and are projected to grow. Consequently, crops and livestock production will be increasingly challenged and threats to human health will increase. These are two key findings presented in this 2009 assessment report by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report gives an overview of climate-related issues and impacts for seven geographical regions and seven sectors of society.

A guide released by the National Wildlife Federation in 2011 for conservationists and resource managers to help them understand and assess the impact of climate change on species and ecosystems, including fisheries.

Coastal Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region

Global sea level is rising at an accelerating rate. This report examines the implications of rising sea level, with a focus on the U.S. mid-Atlantic region, where storm impacts occur and there is a large extent of critical habitat, high population densities, and infrastructure in low-lying areas.

Thresholds of Climate Change in Ecosystems

An assessment of the potential for abrupt state changes or regime shifts in ecosystems in response to climate change. Better understanding of sudden changes to ecosystems, and the goods and services they provide, is extremely important if natural resource managers are to succeed in developing adaptation strategies.

Past Climate Variability and Change in the Arctic and at High Latitudes

Over the past 30 years, average temperatures in the Arctic have increased at almost twice the rate of the planet as a whole. Such temperature changes have been accompanied by shrinking sea ice, melting ice and permafrost on land, and widespread impacts to land and ocean ecosystems.

Understanding Coral Reef Use

A trio of reports on the impacts of human use on coral reefs in the Florida Keys and opportunities for more sustainable practices from the Florida Reef Resilience Program. Topics include snorkeling, SCUBA diving, and recreational fishing.

Climate Impacts on U.S. Living Marine Resources: National Marine Fisheries Service Concerns, Activities and Needs

Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources

A review of adaptation options for climate-sensitive ecosystems and resources in the United States. This report focuses on the following selected land management systems: National Forests, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Estuaries, and Marine Protected Areas.

Arctic Climate Impact Assessment

An international project of the Arctic Council and the International Arctic Science Committee, the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment evaluates and synthesizes knowledge on climate variability, climate change, and increased ultraviolet radiation and their consequences for the Arctic region.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

In response to the President's Executive Order 13653, a NOAA-led U.S. federal agency partnership released the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit to provide tools, information, & scientific expertise to help communities & businesses build resilience to climate-related impacts & extreme events.

NJ FloodMapper

The New Jersey FloodMapper is a user-friendly visualization tool for local communities who need to make decisions concerning flooding hazards and sea level rise. This tool should be used to promote enhanced preparedness and land use planning decisions with considerations for possible future conditions.

Assessing the Vulnerability of Fish Stocks in a Changing Climate

NOAA Fisheries and NOAA’s Earth Research Laboratory have finalized a new methodology to rapidly assess the vulnerability of U.S. marine stocks to a changing climate. The methodology uses existing information on climate and ocean conditions, species distributions, and species life history characteristics in order to estimate the relative vulnerability of fish stocks to potential changes in climate.

Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy

President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force released a rebuilding strategy that outlines a set of principles and recommendations to guide recovery and rebuilding efforts in the wake of Sandy. The Strategy will help ensure communities are better able to withstand and recover from future storms.

Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System

The NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System provides a diverse suite of long-term ecological and environmental observations and information products over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. Its goal is to help people understand coral reef ecosystem conditions and processes, and to inform stakeholders and assist managers in making improved and timely ecosystem-based management decisions to conserve coral reefs.

PacificIslandsClimate.org

The PacificIslandsClimate.org (PIKO) website is a gateway to a broad range of information related to climate in the Pacific Islands. PIKO includes summaries of programs, projects, and activities, as well as data, information products, and services.

Coral Reef Watch

Cal-Adapt

Cal-Adapt is a web-based climate adaptation planning tool developed in part by the University of California, Berkeley's Geospatial Innovation Facility for the State of California. Cal-Adapt allows users to identify potential climate change risks in specific geographic areas throughout the state. Users can either query by location, or click on an interactive map to explore what climate impacts are projected to occur in their area of interest.

Habitat Priority Planner

This free PC-based tool from NOAA's Coastal Service Center aids in decisions about conservation, restoration, and planning. The Habitat Priority Planner takes away much of the subjective nature of the process by providing critical habitat analyses that are consistent, repeatable, and transparent. The program allows users to easily test various ideas and "what if" scenarios on the fly, making it the perfect tool to use in a group setting.

Ecosystem-Based Management Tools Network

A database of tools created and used by a network of over 4000 coastal and marine conservation practitioners. The EBM Tools Network is currently focusing on tools for climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning, ecosystem-based coastal and marine spatial planning and integrated land-sea planning to minimize the impacts of land use on coastal and marine environments.

Coastal County Snapshots

Coastal County Snapshots turn complex data into easy-to-understand stories, complete with charts and graphs. Users select a coastal county of interest and the website does the rest, providing information that can help communities become more resilient to coastal hazards.

Local officials can use the snapshots as a planning tool to assess their county’s resilience to flooding and understand the benefits provided by natural resources. The handouts generated by the snapshots can be a helpful educational tool when working with governing bodies and citizen groups.Current topics include flood exposure, wetland benefits, and ocean and Great Lakes jobs.

Reducing the Nation's Vulnerability to Extreme Weather & Climate

Sustaining Marine Ecosystems in a Changing Climate

NOAA envisions a future with a strong economy and thriving marine ecosystems. NOAA and its partners are working to identify and manage risks to our nation's valuable marine ecosystems and the services they provide.

Toward a Climate Smart Nation

Americans' health, security, and economic wellbeing are tied to climate and weather. This briefing sheet describes how NOAA is leveraging its climate science and services to help the nation prepare for the impacts of climate variability and change.

Data Products (6)Show

Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System Voyager

The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) Voyager is an interactive map interface for visualizing and downloading oceanographic observations, forecasts, and other geospatial data and information related to the marine environment and beyond.

Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program Data Products

The NOAA-funded Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program (SCIPP) has developed a range of experimental and prototype tools to support climate-related decision-making and planning. These datasets and tools are designed to help increase resiliency and preparedness for weather and climate extremes now and in the future across the Southern-Central United States.

Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas

The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas provides online answers to questions related to the physical environment, marine resources, and economic activity in the Gulf of Mexico. Information is presented in the form of map plates with descriptions, written by recognized subject matter experts, explaining how the data were gathered and how they are relevant. The Gulf of Mexico Data Atlas, prepared by NOAA, has data from federal, state and non-governmental agencies, and academia.